Helping the runner??

[BigFarns]

Outstanding spot calling the runner short of the goalline.

As for the assisting the runner foul. I would say technically it was proper but I didn't see any power behind that fullback pushing the QB in the endzone. The line drove the D-line off the ball and the QB easily in.

I know, I know...a couple have said easy call which I guess puts an end to discussion but in my mind that was a bit too technical a call.

Let the lashing begin.

[DrMooreReferee]

Originally Posted by BigFarns

Outstanding spot calling the runner short of the goalline.

As for the assisting the runner foul. I would say technically it was proper but I didn't see any power behind that fullback pushing the QB in the endzone. The line drove the D-line off the ball and the QB easily in.

I know, I know...a couple have said easy call which I guess puts an end to discussion but in my mind that was a bit too technical a call.

Let the lashing begin.

No lashing from me. I wanted ALL comments. I can tell you this, I know I've missed some in my career. Anyone who even thinks they haven't missed a call is way arrogant. But I do think I get more right than wrong. Would the QB have scored without the RB pushing him in? He might have. But we'll never know for sure, because the RB did push him in.

[bossman72]

Just because assisting the runner is so infrequently called (or ignored), the assisting would have to be blatant and out in the open for me to call it.

[bisonlj]

I agree with bossman. I would need to see a lot more "help" before I'm going to call assisting the runner. I'm also amazed that an associtation is teaching their Umpires to call illegal formation with only 6 on the line. I never look wide to see where the receivers are. That is such an easy call for the wing officials.

[Forksref]

Originally Posted by bossman72

Just because assisting the runner is so infrequently called (or ignored), the assisting would have to be blatant and out in the open for me to call it.

I called one last year from my R position. QB keeps the ball. Diminutive tailback pushes him with both hands. Pretty easy call. As the tailback was running off the field, I overheard the coach say, "Who are you, Reggie Bush?"

[whitehat]

Doc, once again thanks for the video. I think you guys nailed all three. Great call on helping the runner. Replay shows even more the effect of the push. I have never called this, but I would if it was obvious to me. As a mechanic we might tune our eyes to be looking for it on short yardage or goal line siuations especially.

Our terminal officials call the illegal formation and like others here I have never seen a U flag it..but as I tell my crew, as long as we get it right I really don't care who flags it!

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by whitehat

Our terminal officials call the illegal formation...

Are those the officials at the train station or the ones with cancer?

[DocLogic]

The first two calls were right on.

I wouldn't have called the aiding the runner....... you aren't wrong for calling that, it's a "by the book call" ......but that wouldn't have been called in a college or pro game..... and that is a standard.

I'm not going to call a push from behind. I have called aiding the runner before when a team mate grabbed and pulled a runner into the endzone, but a push I'm going to let go.

[bossman72]

Originally Posted by Forksref

I called one last year from my R position. QB keeps the ball. Diminutive tailback pushes him with both hands. Pretty easy call. As the tailback was running off the field, I overheard the coach say, "Who are you, Reggie Bush?"

My high school coach told me this story once. He said he would always see teams push the runner in, but it never gets called. So he decides, heck, we will do it too. So his runner did it and got called and his convo with the WH went like this:

"What did he do?"
"He pushed the runner into the EZ"
"Why did you call it?"
"It's assisting the runner coach"
"I know it's assisting the runner! But how come you freakin guys never call it when other teams do it!" (said half jokingly but not really)